'Hurricane Story' Told With A Toy Camera

August 29, 201112:31 PM ET

Claire O'Neill

Irene was a forceful reminder that hurricane season is here. Six years ago today, in fact, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and brought the devastating floodwaters to New Orleans. That also makes photographer Jennifer Shaw's son exactly 6 years old.

In Hurricane Story, a tiny book of 46 square photos, Shaw tells the tale of how she and her husband fled New Orleans the day before Katrina hit and gave birth to their son in Alabama exile.

We left in the dark of night.

Jennifer Shaw

I was due in less than a week.

Jennifer Shaw

At the motel in Andalusia we tried not to watch the news.

Jennifer Shaw

My water broke at 1:30 that morning.

Jennifer Shaw

When we arrived at the hospital it was time.

Jennifer Shaw

At 3:47 a boy was born.

Jennifer Shaw

The next morning we turned on the T.V.

Jennifer Shaw

The news got worse and worse.

Jennifer Shaw

There were rumors of alligators in the streets.

Jennifer Shaw

It was nice to have a distraction.

Jennifer Shaw

Jobs were offered and declined.

Jennifer Shaw

The city was strangely peaceful.

Jennifer Shaw

FEMA hauled off our downed trees.

Jennifer Shaw

It was months till the phone was restored.

Jennifer Shaw

Slowly our friends trickled back.

Jennifer Shaw

We got a new roof before Christmas.

Jennifer Shaw

Mardi Gras was amazing.

Jennifer Shaw

In spite of it all there's no place like home.

Jennifer Shaw

1 of 18

To simulate the hazy tunnel vision of those memories, Shaw re-created scenes with small toys and captured them with a toy camera — a Holga. With brief, one-line captions the story unfolds: A couple gives birth, they travel the country in search of shelter, they return to a destroyed city. There are major setbacks and tiny triumphs, and it all ends with the Dorothean maxim that "there's no place like home." You can see the full story on Shaw's website.

In the wake of Irene and on this Katrina anniversary, what is your hurricane story? Share your photos with us on Flickr.